Introduction: The fellowship offers 14 days of intensive training programme providing participants with deeper insight in the relationship between inner peace and sustainable world peace. The main goal of the training is to enhance the participants’ ability to create peace within their social circles and social environment. There are 3 main fellowship programmes in Thailand, Europe, and Latin America. The current call for application is for the fellowship in Thailand. Calls for the other 2 fellowship programmes will be advertised here when available.
Objectives: The main goal of this training is to learn peace techniques through meditation from Buddhist monks. Participants will be asked to learn these techniques to become agents of peace in their everyday life. This fellowship offers the unique opportunity to experiment with alternative methods to achieve peace and to implement conflict resolution strategies. Crucially, participants will focus on the achievement of the inner peace status as a means to begin peace processes around them. Instead of learning techniques to foster a peaceful and constructive dialogue among different actors – as often taught in peace-building trainings – participants will reflect on the importance of being at peace with themselves.
Venue: The Mooktawan Sanctuary, South Thailand.
Dates: 13-26 December 2013
Eligibility: The Fellowship is open to optimistic and open-minded individuals who have showed leadership potential and who are genuinely interested in peace.
Why it is important for NGOs to attend it: This is an unusual training for NGO workers. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon conflict resolution and peace building via the guided exploration of Thai and Buddhist principles. Participants will have the opportunity to explore meditation techniques and to disconnect from the world to re-connect with their inner selves. The core idea of the training is that, once achieved the inner peace, participants will be able to share their inner peace and begin peace processes in their social environments. Although this training could sound unusual, participants will benefit from it for 2 main reasons. First of all, participants will have the unique opportunity to explore different understandings of peace and peace processes thus they will have the possibility to enhance their knowledge and multicultural understanding of peace. Second, participants will have the opportunity to explore new techniques, which could be used in trainings and workshops organised by their organisation also with the aim of broadening the cultural experience of their target groups.
Fees: The fellowship covers lodging, catering, local transport, and meditation retreat fee. A partial sponsoring of airfare is available to candidates aged 18 to 30.
Application deadlines: 15 September 2013
How to apply: Applications must be submitted online. Applicants are required to complete the self-development program lasting 42 days (you do not need to have finished the program before submitting your application). After completing the self-development program, a jury will assess your application and achievements. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
The application form can be found here
Additional information can be found here
